Perfect Blue and Key the Metal Idol deconstructed the idol culture in Japan to some extent, and partially exposed just how deeply unhealthy and misogynistic the idol culture is.
The reality is a hell of a lot darker than either or both of those titles.
Don’t believe me? Go read this article on CrunchyRoll.
On that note I’m off to watch some Planetes.
Pirates of the Burley Griffin 
For more on this, check out this article that soaringwings alerted me to on twitter: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2013/02/01/music/akb48-members-penance-shows-flaws-in-idol-culture/#.UQxDKx2ThyK
Yeah, it’s horrible what sorts of practices go on in the idol industry. And it looks like I have two more anime to add to my Plan to Watch list. I’ve always wanted to see an anime that deconstructs the idol phenomenon. 🙂
How are girls in Japan expected to resolve the tension between the endless romance of shoujo, and the expectation that the idols be totally “pure” (or be blamed/humiliated when they’re not)?
Another aspect that disturbs me is that the boyfriend will escape all consequences from this. It takes two to tango, so why is the idol singer the only one who gets punished?
I’m guessing the sentiment “sex only after marriage/true love”. The idea that one is unfit to marry unless pure comes up in shoujo a lot. From harmless comments like “I can’t be a bride anymore” from Mikan when Natsume pulls off her underwear (to bully her) in Gakuen Alice to Miaka feeling unworthy of Tamahome after believing she was raped in Fushigi Yugi. The vocal point of the first kiss and the heroine often being a good pure virgin also reinforce this. But there are shoujo manga that break the mould and that makes me feel happy. In these cases I’m guessing the women behind the stories don’t believe the “pure” nonsense either.
Yes, this is the patriarchal double standard and it makes me angry too.
In terms of manga/anime breaking the mould, that may be part of why I like the pre-time skip Usagi Drop so much: it doesn’t demonise single parents, especially single mothers.
They’re just…people trying to get through life like everyone else.
Thank you for this, I will try to find both animés and have a look. Interesting to see how the idol culture is deconstructed from an “insider” perspective, despite the fact that it is made as another form of entertainment. Lacking Japanese language skills, it is difficult to get any real perspective on the idol culture. I have only been able to read articles written in English and sometimes secondary translations from Japanese commentators.
You’re welcome. Perfect Blue is a Satoshi Kon film and should be readily available (it is still on the shelves in Australia).
I’m not sure about Key the Metal Idol – I only have the US releases from the late 90s.